Hennepin County Limits Battery Recycling to Brooklyn Park, Bloomington
Hennepin County recycling officials have decided to limit the locations where batteries can be discarded. A fire risk with vaping devices led to the decision.
A discarded vape pen started a fire in a battery recycling container at a library in Mound. Because of that, Hennepin County will now only accept batteries at its drop-off sites in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington. Those locations have staff on site trained to handle batteries.
The barrels seen at government buildings and libraries accounted for 25 percent of the county’s battery intake. And vaping and e-cigarette devices caused a bump in collection. However, the county deemed it too big a risk to take.
Hennepin County removed all barrels from government buildings, libraries and other areas. Recycling officials say separating batteries from vaping devices isn’t easy, which is why those who use them discard them with the batteries still inside. The devices also easily flip on and ignite, sort of like click pens, which why they’re a fire risk in a container full of batteries. More information on battery recycling can be found at Hennepin.us/batteryrecycling.
